Will Video Production Be Replaced by AI?
Picture this: you’re editing a video late at night, headphones on, trying to decide if the third or fourth take of a shot has more “magic.” Then someone casually says, “Isn’t AI going to replace all this stuff soon?” It’s a question we get a lot at Sunday Treat. And fair enough; AI is popping up everywhere, from automating emails to, apparently, generating images of cats wearing monocles. But video production? That’s a whole different story. The short answer? Not anytime soon. The long answer? Well, it’s complicated, but it’s worth talking about. Let’s dig in.
What AI Can Do (and What It Really Can’t)
Let’s give AI some credit, t’s ridiculously good at a lot of the stuff that used to take ages. Tools like Runway or Adobe’s fancy AI features can take a rough cut and tidy it up, slap on some color correction, or even suggest where to trim that overly long clip of someone rambling. It’s like having a really fast assistant who doesn’t complain about late nights. But here’s the thing: AI is great at “fixing,” but it’s hopeless at “feeling.” A perfectly edited shot doesn’t necessarily make a great video. AI doesn’t know why that slightly awkward laugh at the end of an interview might make the whole thing more relatable, or why that unscripted moment in the background turns a generic scene into something that feels alive. That’s the stuff we hunt for at Sunday Treat – the spark that makes a video more than just a series of stitched-together clips. And spark? That’s not AI’s forte. Not yet, anyway.
Stories, Not Just Footage
Imagine this: you’re watching a wedding video made entirely by an algorithm. Technically, it’s perfect. The cuts are smooth, the lighting is balanced, and every frame looks Instagram-worthy. But does it catch the real stuff? The way the bride’s best friend subtly fixes her veil before the ceremony starts? The kid in the back row sneaking cake during the speeches? Probably not. That’s the difference between video production that works and storytelling that stays with you. We’re not just editing; we’re building emotional connections. At Sunday Treat, that’s what keeps us coming back for more. We’re obsessed with those little moments that an AI wouldn’t know to look for.
AI Is a Tool, Not a Teammate
Don’t get us wrong. AI is firmly part of our toolkit. Want a 90-minute interview transcribed in record time? AI’s got it. Need some funky motion graphics concepts to get the juices flowing? Sure, let’s see what it spits out. But here’s the thing: it’s a tool, not a teammate. Think of it like a hammer. You wouldn’t hand a hammer a blueprint and expect it to build your dream house. You’d still need someone with a vision and a knack for making that vision a reality. And let’s be real, half the fun in video production is in the weird, messy moments AI can’t handle. Like when a shoot goes completely off-script but you end up capturing something ten times better than what was planned. Or when a last-minute decision to change the lighting transforms a good scene into something stunning. Those moments don’t come from algorithms; they come from guts, experience, and the occasional happy accident.
The Future: Humans + AI = Something New
We’re not technophobes. In fact, we’re kind of nerds about this stuff. The future of video production is probably going to be a blend of human creativity and AI efficiency. Imagine this: an AI roughs out a storyboard, but the creative team decides what works and what doesn’t. Or an AI speeds up the editing process, giving us more time to focus on the emotional beats, the stuff that really matters. We’ve already started dabbling in this collaboration. On a recent shoot, we used AI to visualize how different lighting setups would look in advance. It saved us hours, sure, but when it came to actually setting the lights, it was down to our team to tweak things until it felt right. That’s what AI can’t do, it doesn’t “feel” anything. And feelings are kind of the whole point.
Why Creativity Will Always Be Human
Let’s get real for a second: AI can do a lot, but it doesn’t have gut instincts. It doesn’t get goosebumps when the perfect track syncs up with the edit, or know why a slightly offbeat joke can land better than a polished one. AI doesn’t know how to take a client’s vague “Can we make it… happier?” note and translate that into a shot that lights up the room. At Sunday Treat, we’re not just about making videos. We’re about creating stories that connect. Ones that make you laugh, cry, or just smile in that “oh, that’s so true” kind of way. AI might make our jobs faster, but it’ll never replace the human touch. And honestly? We’re okay with that.
So, Will AI Replace Us?
Not a chance. Will it change how we work? Absolutely. But as long as there are stories to tell, people to connect with, and moments to capture, there’ll always be room for what we do. And as for that spark of magic, the kind that turns good into great? That’s all us. If you want to see what that looks like, check out some of the stories we’ve brought to life. Or better yet, drop us a line and let’s make something together. Who knows? Maybe we’ll find some magic in your next project too.
